A Piece of Chaminade in the Bronx

It all started when Mother Agnes of the Sisters of Life reached out to Fr. Garrett Long, S.M. ’62, to ask if Chaminade had a retreat house available for a group of young Hispanic women who were in the process of discerning whether or not they would form a new religious congregation. They were supposed use a retreat house run by the Sisters of Life, Villa, but it had been closed due to COVID concerns. Meribah, Chaminade’s retreat house in Muttontown, NY, was available, and the group made a discernment retreat there from April 21-25, 2021.

The goal of the group is to create a community of Hispanic women who will work in parishes with the training of catechists, particularly those who would be teaching young men and women.

Their spiritual director, Rev. Vincent J. Druding, is currently serving as the parochial vicar at Holy Cross Church in the Bronx, a parish that serves both English and Spanish-speaking communities. Previously, he served for almost seven years at Assumption Church in Peekskill, NY, as well as at Our Lady of Angels in the Bronx. He visited New York as a layman at the time of the 9/11 collapse of the World Trade Towers and worked there as a volunteer. This experience was the occasion of his vocation to the priesthood. 

The women were granted permission from Cardinal Dolan to open a discernment house. They obtained a house in the Bronx, across the street from Van Cortland Park, and called on Woodworking Club Moderator Fr. Garrett to make an altar for their chapel.  They had one requirement: the three hearts of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to be on the front of the altar.

Fr. Garrett, with the assistance of Mr. Ed Zullo P’16, Mrs. Pat Schweitzer, and Mr. Sean Hilbert ’20, created the altar, which now sits in their chapel.

Please continue keep these young women and all of those in discernment in your prayers!